As we wrap up the first week of this new feature, Last Night’s Highlights, at Baseball is Fun, I’m interested to hear what you think about it.
Did you want more? Less? Gifs? Images? Something different entirely?
These things have a way of evolving over time, and I’d prefer for it to evolve alongside the things you’d actually like to see. I know, crazy, right?!
You can let us know what you think down in the comments below, or on Twitter via Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) or me (@Michael_Cerami). Oh, and if you’re not following either of those accounts, you should change that.
1. As most of the readers here know by now, I am a Cubs fan. Meaning, it gives me no pleasure to share with you the first highlight of the day: a huge Cardinals come back win. When the eighth inning began last night, the Padres were leading the Cardinals by a score of 5-1. At that point, according to FanGraphs win probability matrix, the Cardinals had just a 3.6% chance of winning the game. Of course, FanGraphs likely forgot to include the Cardinals’ voodoo magic in their calculus, so the odds were overcome. A Hazelbaker double, a Gyorko single, a Wong double, and a Piscotty homer later and the game was tied. Then, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning and a full count, Aledmys Diaz delivered the win:
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2. It’s not too often that a regular old home run will be among the best highlights from last night, but Carlos Gonzales’ moonshot was no regular old home run. In fact, Gonzales’ home run last night against the Braves traveled a monstrous 484 feet – the second longest homer of the year, behind only Giancarlo Stanton’s 490 foot blast. According to Statcast, that ball came off the bat at 108.8 MPH and hung in the air for 5.8 seconds. Come watch Reynolds’ tenth home run of the season, it’s a doozy:
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3. Even though it’s not necessarily the hardest play in the game, I don’t think there’s a more classic or exciting defensive maneuver than the shortstop jump throw. Yesterday, Tim Anderson pulled it off like his name was Derek Jeter. Not only does he range far to his right to get the ball and field it cleanly, but he makes an extremely strong and accurate throw to first to just barely get the runner. Check it out:
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Oh, and also:
What you may have missed: